Review: Janek van Laak – Circle Of Madness (Sonar Kollektiv)

One of the many sayings usually attributed to Einstein, is that the definiton of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result; Janek van Laak's 'Circle Of Madness' is a musical merry-go-round that is so packed with ideas, it'll seem like a diffent result on every listen.

Sonar Kollektiv have always had more than a eye on the future and Janek van Laak's background of "punk loving father and cabaret/comedy performing mother" is a perfect grounding for this Berlin based drummer. composer and producer.

Having been a member of Liquid Brain Orchestra and 50% of Tutu Amuse (with Rosa Landers), 'Circle Of Madness' is the debut album that the single, 'The Killa Gorilla' (see review HERE) promised: like an unleashed cage fighter in a circus; and more!

There's diffinitely a lot of theatre here, even in the spacey funk of 'Left 4 Dead' there's a jazz big/marching band to be found.  Perhaps it's the German element where the legacy of Berlin Cabaret has dropped in on the fusion of Gong/Magma/Peter Brotzmann.  And then goes surfing? I think he recognises this throughout the 11 tracks with 'The Last Stylebender' (Ed. I wonder what that is in German), a sideways look at Can on 'Daiamondo' featuring Shiomi Kawaguchi on vocals (RIP Damo Suzuki) and an odd Avante-Afro-dub 'Sloppy Dreams' that's almost ideal for late-night radio (as played by Dom Servini on his new Jazz FM show).

I suspect 'Above Your Head' will get picked up for some TV crime soundtrack/bed for the vocal "Strange" in itself.  There's also a guest  vocals appearance by Australian Madeleine Rose on the jazz-creepy twang of 'Here To Slay' but the rest is instrumental and for there's the proper beach-jazzy 10 minute opus of 'OCTAPUSSY', the 70s Miles-esque 'Saints Blow' and the leftfield-fusion of 'Garlic Brown Junior' (Ed. don't tell me he's UFC too!).

I'm some folks would have prefered a whole album in one style of 'madness' but the mix of styles makes the squaring of the circle makig this is a great album with a great line-up of Janek (drums), Richard Maegraith (alto sax, flutes, bass clarinet), Gabriel Garcia (trumpet and flügelhorn), Isabel Rößler (bass) and Tim Foley on percussion.

So whilst this isn't totally mad, to mis-quote a well known space traveller, "It's Kraut Jim; but not as we know it" - one for the now and the future.

Artist: Janek van Laak
Title: Circle Of Madness
Release date: 15th March, 2024
Label : Sonar Kolletiv

Catalog Number : SK480 LP (Limited Edition Kistal-Violett splatter vinyl) / Digital / Bandcamp 

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